Bounce" on over to the theater for this romantic film

Published 6:00 pm, Thursday, November 30, 2000

Movie: "Bounce" (PG-13)

Run Time: 102 minutes

Cast: Ben Affleck, Gwyneth Paltrow, Johnny Galecki, Tony Goldwyn,

Natasha Henstridge

Rating: ** & 1/2 (out of ****)

"Bounce" opens at Chicago's busy O'Hare Airport. Flights are delayed by wintery weather, and three stranded strangers become acquainted at a crowded concourse bar. Buddy Amaral (Ben Affleck) is a partner in a successful advertising firm whose client happens to be the very airline originally scheduled to fly him and Greg (Tony Goldwyn) home to Los Angeles. Mimi (Natasha Henstridge), an attractive single business woman, is homeward bound to Dallas.

Greg, a self-proclaimed mediocre playwright, vents his frustration with life in general. The local newspaper documents how his play bombed in Chicago on opening night, and he bemoans that he will not arrive home in time to sell Christmas trees with his son's youth group. As a VIP, Buddy gets the last seat on a LA flight, and uses his clout to allow Greg to board in his place. The father of two is grateful, as he can now keep his promise to his son. Impressed with his kindness to sad-sack Greg, Mimi persuades Buddy to share her airline-provided hotel room bed. Greg's flight goes down in Kansas, and Buddy blames himself for the family man's death.

Assigned to revitalize the airline's image following the tragedy, Buddy can't cope, begins drinking, and his partner suggests he check himself into a famous hospital in Palm Springs for alcohol rehabilitation. A year passes, and the program complete, Buddy makes it a point to meet Abby (Gwyneth Paltrow). Greg's widow is now a struggling real-estate agent. Buddy finagles Abby a hefty commission on a building his company purchases. He remains silent about his original motives for their meeting, and Abby tells him she is divorced. She wants no sympathy relating to her widow status. Romance blooms and likeable Buddy is welcomed as a suitor by Abby's two sons.

We build toward a revelation scene, as Abby assertively pursues the relationship and Buddy fails in his attempts to deny that he's falling for her. The on-screen chemistry between Ben and Gwyneth is the highlight of the film for me, a confirmed romantic. A scene at a Dodgers game where Abby fretfully awaits Buddy's appearance is especially poignant. He shows up for the date while the teams are still at batting practice, and the relief and stars in Abby's expressive eyes are sights to behold. Buddy's gay office gopher (Johnny Galecki) does a remarkable job playing both Cupid and Buddy's conscience with the film's subplot revolving around corporate business ethics.

Director and writer Don Roos bounces off on tangents for no discernible reason. We know that Mimi possesses a telling videotape made minutes before Greg boarded the fateful flight. Sooner or later Abby is going to see it, learn the truth, and the tension builds.

Roos takes us on a diverting nonsensical airplane trip to Palm Springs, supposedly for the boys to overcome their understandable fear of flying, and we return to LA without a plausible answer.

Buddy, of course, is reminded of his alcoholism, and renews his determination to remain sober, as well as vows to do the right thing.

Mimi eventually shows up at Abby's door with the tape. Curiously, Roos chooses to keep Abby offstage for the long awaited moment of truth. Why? My wife Kathy was disappointed, and remarked that "Bounce" relies solely on the true-life magnetism crackling like summer lightning between the two Oscar winning stars.

Abby's son confronts Buddy with own concern…was his father's death a direct result of wanting to keep a ridiculous promise to him? Buddy's white lie response was scripted adroitly, and is delivered with admirable finesse. Not so the convoluted circumstances that lead to Buddy testifying against his ad agency's biggest client, the airline that carried Greg to his doom.

Gwyneth Paltrow is convincing as a somewhat mousy widow desperately in need of a make-over, valiantly determined to go on with her life, and besot with Buddy. Talented Ben Affleck does not come across as a rogue. Immoral or Amoral? Hardly. Buddy Amaral is absolutely sincere, without a selfish bone in his body. "Trustworthy" or "Galahad" would have been a better choice for a surname. The film's tone is mostly dreary with a lack of discernible color. Other than a scene outside a restaurant, it could have been shot in black and white.

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After all is said, the question most enticing to the audience…is whether there is hope for this pair of star-crossed lovers? Or, will the ghost of Greg always remain lurking between them? For the answer, romantic adults should take their partner by the hand and take in "Bounce." Adolescents will likely fidget and be bored. Despite the film's script flaws, the film has some wonderful scenes, and compelling acting.